John Herrick elected as chairman of the Saratoga County Republican Committee

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- John Herrick took over on Saturday as new chairman of the Saratoga County Republican Committee, replacing John "Jasper" Nolan, who has retired after 27 years.

Herrick, 58, who had been vice chairman, outpolled former county Treasurer Chris Callaghan of Waterford, who also sought the post.

Herrick's term is for two years, but the next 38 days will be among the most important, with several key elections up for grabs, including the 43rd State Senate District race, two congressional seats and three state Assembly positions.

"It's really important to get Kathy Marchione elected to the Senate," Herrick, of Saratoga Springs, said. "We want to keep the majority in the hands of Republicans. She'll work very hard like she did in the primary."

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Saratoga County Clerk Marchione narrowly defeated incumbent Sen. Roy J. McDonald, R-Saratoga, in a GOP primary and also has the Conservative Party line. More than 200 of the full county committee's roughly 350 members turned out for Saturday's meeting at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Club on Route 9.

In a voice vote, the committee gave its full support to Marchione, with no dissenters.

State Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna, who is seeking re-election, was among those on hand. He is the Senate's longest-tenured Republican.

Congressional candidate Matt Doheny of Watertown said he is counting heavily on support from Saratoga County Republicans in his bid to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh. Two years ago, he lost to Owens by about 1,600 votes. This time, however, he's running on three lines -- Republican, Conservative and Independence Party.

"This is the most important county," Doheny said. "More Republicans will vote here than in any of the 11 other counties. It's going to be a close race."

Herrick's political career started out in his native Stillwater, where he was a village trustee, deputy mayor and mayor. He also chaired Stillwater's Republican committee.

Upon moving to Saratoga Springs with his wife, Karen, Herrick joined the city GOP, which he chaired from 2005 through 2011. He is a state committee member as well.

Herrick described his rise to county chairman as a "natural progression."

"He's going to do a fine job," Callaghan said.

Scott Kingsley, of Wilton, was elected vice chairman.

Herrick said he secured the majority of weighted votes needed to become chairman by winning the endorsements of GOP committees in Milton, Moreau, Malta, Mechanicville, Stillwater, Saratoga, Wilton and Halfmoon. However, those committee members still had to vote, either in person or by proxy, at Saturday's countywide meeting, which they did.

Herrick recently began his 25th year as human resources director for Saratoga Bridges, a non-profit agency that helps people with disabilities and their families. Previously, he was the first director of Saratoga County's Youth Bureau and later became the county's personnel officer.

"With redistricting, every single candidate is running in territory they haven't represented before," he said. "So we've got to work hard to help people learn about our candidates."

Nolan has said he plans to continue as chairman emeritus, a job that will allow him to spend more time campaigning for candidates in the field instead of doing office tasks.

"Jasper laid a great foundation for the party," Herrick said. "I just want to build on that foundation."